Rally for early implementation of FA held
Source: Chronicle News Service

Tml/Senapati/Ukl, August 09 2023: About ten thousand people take part in Naga People's Rally demanding early implementation of Framework Agreement in Tamenglong HQs as well as in Senapati district.

Protestors held placards like 'Respect the Unique History and situation of Nagas' Resolve Indo-Naga Political Issue' Naga People's Rally for resolving Indo-Naga Political Issue based on Framework Agreement' "No Impose Solution', 'Nagas plead for return of peace and normalcy in Manipur' Naga Flag, Constitution and Integration are Inalienable rights of the Naga people' among others.

Addressing the public, UNC working committee secretary Ch Thotsho said that Naga issue is a political issue and not a law and order issue.

"We demand sovereign power; we are never part of either India or Myanmar," he said.

Naga people have a unique history and position.

Sovereignty lies in the two entities that are Nagas and India, which is clearly mentioned in the Framework Agreement signed in August 3, 2015, he said while urging the public to stand united.

UNC working committee convenor Samson Riamei said that the rally will be a great support to the demand of Nagas and a great message for the Government of India.

In Senapati district, a mammoth gathering of around 30,000 rallyists took to street, during which, Naga People's Organisation (NPO), Senapati president Solomon Arrow called the day as historic, adding that no such gathering was seen in the past.

He appealed to all to be patient and wait prayerfully with renewed hope and pledged allegiance to the Framework Agreement, stating that the Nagas will stand by it till the last drop of their blood.

UNC president Ng Lorho stated that the gathering was an earnest desire of the long awaited political solution based on the Framework Agreement.

He spoke at length on the history of peace talks between Government of India and NSCN.

The framework agreement clearly stated the Gol recognises the unique history and position of Nagas, he said.

The UNC president asserted that flag and constitution are constituent parts of sovereignty and therefore, there should be no ambiguity about it.

The fate of the Framework Agreement hangs in balance as Gol fiddles with what has been agreed upon.

The tolerance and patience of Nagas cannot be taken for weakness, and in the event of any collapse of the political talks, the UNC president said, the Government of India shall be held responsible.

The Nagas can never be divided by any artificial district, state or international boundaries, but shall stand its ground on Naga national principle and remain united, no matter what may come, he added.

A memorandum was submitted to the Prime Minister through DC Senapati at the end of the rally.

UKHRUL: Over ten thousand people took to the streets in Ukhrul town on Wednesday to show support to the United Naga Council (UNC)'s call for an early, acceptable and honourable solution to the Indo-Naga political issue.

The rally was organised by Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) and its frontal organisations under the aegis of UNC to show support for early solution based on the historic Indo-Naga Framework Agreement of 3 August 2015.A show of solidarity amongst the.

Naga people, the rally signified the growing support for an early and acceptable solution to the Indo-Naga political issue.

The processions commenced from two points of Dungrei Junction, Hungpung and Mission Ground, Awontang at 10 am and converged at the traffic point in front of the district mini-secretariat, Hamleikhong for a public meeting.

The enthusiastic crowd numbering over 13,000, including youth, marched through the town's thoroughfares holding banners inscribed with "For enduring peace, Gol must uphold the letter and spirit of the Framework Agreement and not be limited by interpretations," Naga flag, constitution are inalienable rights of the Naga people," and "Respect the unique history and situations of the Naga people".

They also chanted slogans and raised the demand for an honourable solution.

The slogans included "We demand immediate political solution," "My land, my life & dignity," "Our land belongs to our people," "No to imposed solution," "Implement Framework Agreement," "Leave us in peace," "Unity our strength," "Gol demonstrate political will," " Naga historical and political rights," and others.

They expressed their support for the UNO's call "to uphold and honour the spirit of the Framework Agreement and solve the Indo-Naga political issue with listening hearts, and minds".

The event was illuminated by passionate speeches from noted social leaders and luminaries like UNC's former president Kho John and social activist Ngachonmi Chamroy, who appealed to the Naga people to remain firm in their support for the ongoing peace process.

"The Framework Agreement is taking too long a time to resolve our political issue, but I call upon you all to not get disheartened or confused.

Let's continue to uphold it (FA) because this framework agreement has been the best agreement in Nagas' political history," John said drawing a comparison between FA, and the past agreements of 9-Point Agreement and 16-Point Agreement.

"There won't be peace in the Northeast region as long as there is no solution to Naga issue," Chamroy said, adding that it is high time that Naga people came together in unity and stood as one for their common political aspirations.

Among the others who took part in the proceedings were TNL vice president R Jollyson, TNWL president SA Ramnganing, TKS president Ramreichan Keishing, TMNL president Themaso Tallunao, TSL president Thingreiphi Lungharwoshi, ANSAM former prez Seth Satshang, representatives of Naga Women's Union and other social organisations.

The public meeting concluded with the submission of a letter of endorsement of UNC's memorandum jointly signed by the presidents of TNL, TSL, TNWL, TMNL and TKS to PM Narendra Modi through Ukhrul DC Zuringla Kengoo.

"The Tangkhul Naga Long and its frontal organizations of Ukhrul district as a Federating Unit hereby; endorse the Joint Memorandum of the United Naga Council, the Naga Women's Union, the All Naga Students' Association, Manipur and the Naga Peoples Movement for Human rights (South)," it added.

On the same day, UNC, the apex organisation of 20 Naga tribes in Manipur, reiterated its demand as part of their plea in a joint memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to exercise its political will and find an acceptable and honourable solution based on the spirit of FA.

In the memo, the UNC also appealed to the Prime Minister to ensure that a vital space is created with a sense of high urgency for the final settlement of the age-old Naga political issue, reiterating its uncompromising political aspirations and strong desire for translating Framework Agreement into a political reality for enduring peace.

The memorandum observed that signing of the Framework Agreement is well past eight years and that it has run into a stalemate on interpretation and accommodation of the principal issues of flag and constitution which has been envisaged and implied in the Framework Agreement.

"We therefore call upon the GOI to honour the Framework Agreement in letter and spirit by accepting the universal fact that Sovereignty lies with people and by extension, that the Naga National flag and Constitution must be an integral part of the shared sovereignty, it stated".

It continued that the Naga people will not accept disintegration of Naga land or any act that will adversely affect the interest of the Naga people while attempting to address demands of any other community.

"We can only state that such misadventures will have serious ramifications that will provoke further senseless violence with different communities.

However, we wish to make it clear that any other communities living in the Naga ancestral homeland will not be left out of the final settlement in consonance with the mutually agreed upon competencies," the memo added.

KAKCHING: As in other Naga dominated districts, Chandel Naga People's Organisation (CNPO), Naga Students' Union Chandel (NSUC) and Naga Women's Union Chandel (NWUC) under the aegis of UNC also organised the rally from Maha Union Government Higher Secondary School ground, Japhou, Chandel district till DC Chandel Office complex on Wednesday pressing the Union government to resolve Indo-Naga Political issue based on FA of August 3, 2015.At the end of the rally, a memorandum to the PM Modi containing their demands was submitted through the DC Chandel Speaking at the rally, CNPO president David Boyes maintained that Nagas will not remain silent if the Union government gives the separate administration demand of Kukis without consulting with them first and if it in any way affects the land of Nagas.

The present crisis should not be solved based on false history/narrative and data, and should be carried out by finding out the best solution, he further emphasised.

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